Not religious--will we fit in? (Richmond, Shenandoah: neighborhoods, where to buy, good schools)

[Ysabel]

My husband and I will be happily relocating to Richmond (we love the South) from northern NJ next summer or fall for my husband's job, and I am trying to get a sense of where to buy a house. We are looking for privacy (1-5 acres) and don't want to be in a new development. From everything I've read here, Goochland and Powhatan counties sound semi-rural yet not too far from shopping (20 min. from a grocery is okay). We are empty nesters, so we're not concerned with good schools or activities for little ones. Any advice you could give would be much appreciated.

However, here's my more important question, which I haven't seen addressed in this forum. We are not religious at all and wonder how we will be viewed or accepted or if we'll fit in. Church (or practicing a faith) is such an important part of life in the South that we're afraid we'll be looked upon with suspicion if we don't belong somewhere. I realize that we'll be missing out on an instant community by not being religious, but we do have interests that include Civil War history, cooking, gardening, dogs, and books. Hopefully these will help us connect with people. Any thoughts?

[whynot?]

We live in rural Goochland -- and love it -- but you might like Hanover County, too. All three have burgeoning development on their innermost borders, but remain mostly rural outwards. I don't think the religion thing is a hindrance -- we're basically heathen -- no problem with our neighbors.

[PickPatrick]

My sense is that one of Richmond's strongest suits is the fact that we have diverse neighborhoods. I donot think you will have any issues with your church attendance preference.

Powhatan, New Kent, Hanover, Goochland all provide the variety and seclusion you look for.

[Moonwalkr]

I know a couple people living in 10+ acres out there, one is Jewish and one is non-denominational.

[TN Lily]

Ysabel, I don't know how religion/church attendance or the lack thereof would affect one in the deep south, but I don't think it will be an issue for you in Richmond, VA. I currently live in Louisa which is west of Richmond. I have also lived in the Shenandoah Valley and Highland County. For the most part, I think folks in Virginia mind their own business when it comes to religion.

[ifailed2mention]

Virginia is pretty much, not south...

I've lived in NC, in small little towns where religion is like number one for everyone, and not going to church has never been a problem.

Richmond is pretty open, they have a college there, it's very filled with art, there are many open minded people. You will be fine, and should not be treated any different because you are not religious.

[whynot?]

Originally Posted by ifailed2mention

Virginia is pretty much, not south....

I agree that Virginia and Richmond are "pretty open," but to say they -- especially Richmond -- are not southern is a risky position to take. Granted, there has been a good deal of influx from other parts of the country, and northern Virginia is far more diverse and progressive than most of the rest of the state. But there is a lot of pride in southern hospitality, southern culture, and other Old South kinds of sentimentalities. Richmond was, for better or for worse, the capital of the Confederacy, and since the OP is moving here from NJ, I think they can expect to feel they will be -- at least marginally -- "in the south."

[TN Lily]

I do not think that calling VA "not south" is risky. Richmond may have remnants of its past, but it seems to me that most people are living in the current century.

[Jason0711]

lol you'll be fine

[blueva]

Originally Posted by ifailed2mention

Virginia is pretty much, not south...

I've lived in NC, in small little towns where religion is like number one for everyone, and not going to church has never been a problem.

Richmond is pretty open, they have a college there, it's very filled with art, there are many open minded people. You will be fine, and should not be treated any different because you are not religious.

Virginia is the South, never make that mistake again. But its not the Deep South. It is the beggining of the Bible Belt.